A Year with the Rich Young Ruler
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to model how a relational study is done and provide questions relating text to the FAW theme for individual or group use. |
Most of us have heard too many stewardship sermons about the rich young man who came to Jesus with a question and have heard the guilt-producing answer, "sell all that you have." We have also walked away sorrowful.
What if we explore this story not as an attempt to make us give more but as an invitation to freedom?
We tend to universalize each encounter Jesus has with people. But if we look carefully we see that each healing and conversation are individualized for the person. ("Go and wash," "Pick up your pallet", "Come and see", "You are set free.") For the next four studies we will unpack this story and make connections with our own story as we seek to simplify our lives. Remember each one of us will have a different experience.
Enter the Story
Read the story in all three gospel accounts and in several translations. (Matthew 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 18:18-27) Note the differences. Our story in Mark has some unique twists. Can your see them? Why did Jesus correct the man for calling him good? What do you see in his approach to Jesus? Did you note the list of the commandments? What has been added? Why do you think Jesus recited the partial list or any of the commandments? How is Mark's version different from the scenes in Matthew and Luke? What can you discern about the character of the person? Was he selfish? Lazy? Judgmental? A Seeker? How did Jesus feel about him? (Vs.21).
Connect with a Character
In connecting with the story, let's start with verse 21. Mark is the only one who reports that Jesus loves the young person. Is this where you begin with Jesus? What interests you most about the call to follow him? What prevents you?
It's pretty clear in the story that the young fellow's money might have been gotten through fraud (Vs 19). Would this be part of his question and his burden? As Jesus looked at him and loved him, he had an opportunity to simplify his life of score-keeping and cheating and to step out in freedom. The disciples didn't understand the way Jesus treated this person. Do you?
Reflect on Your Life
Lots of money is not my problem. But I do have lots of things that I love, even though we downsized about twenty years ago. Maybe there are some other areas I need to look at now.
As I worked with the idea of simplifying my life, I found a book by Richard Rohr titled Simplicity. He points out we are caught by our desire to be successful, to be righteous or religious and to have power. I could identify with all three.
Henri Nouwen says the need for power, prestige and possessions are our temptations and our burden. Look at the television and the newspaper. We are lured into believing that getting this one more thing or winning this case or being famous will make us happy. We can agree with Jesus that it is hard for a rich man to turn away from those temptations. I am reminded of an old joke. A very wealthy man asked to be buried sitting in his solid gold Cadillac, wearing his finest tailor made suit and smoking a huge imported cigar. A spectator at the burial was heard to say, as the car and its occupant were lowered into the earth, "Now that's really living!"
Let Love In
Is simple living a way to discover real living? Eternal life? Take some time now to be with Jesus in silence. Experience his non-blaming love. What is it that demands your time and attention and complicates your life? How do you need to rearrange your priorities so that you can simply live? Lent is an ideal time for this assessment. Remember with God all things are possible. Don't walk away sorrowful.
Nancy Boyle is a workshop leader, teacher and Christian Education Consultant living in Columbia SC.